Rescue alert spares Jemima's ducklings from death plunge

THESE are desperate times for an urban mallard, with not a muddy reedbank in sight in many parts of London. Heavily pregnant Jemima the duck chose a window box on a fourth-floor Kensington flat to lay 10 eggs last month.

Yesterday eight of the eggs hatched and the flat owner, Lady Dundas called on Thomas Peel-Yates, Kensington's ecology officer, to rescue the ducklings before they plunged to their deaths, and take them to Holland Park.

After keeping watch, Mr Peel-Yates put Jemima in a pillow case with her head protruding so she could still hear her offspring. The ducklings were packed into a shoebox.

"As soon as we let them go the ducklings took to the water," said Lady Dundas.

"The ducklings are in good hands."

Throughout the 28-day incubation period Lady Dundas kept a detailed diary.

She noted how Jemima buried the eggs in feathers plucked from her own breast, to disguise them from crows.

Mr Peel-Yates said the operation was so successful that Jemima may return next year. "I'm not keen on that idea," said Lady Dundas. "It's all rather exhausting."

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